It's like I just had an epiphany when it should have been blatantly obvious the whole time. I have buck fever and I have it bad. It seems to happen to me every year. I can get on great bucks but when it comes down to the shot....I crumble under the pressure. I have a hard time admitting this but I want it off my chest. Every buck I've shot has left a little more to be desired. You guys know my "Casper" story. I'm still kicking myself for fudging that shot. It hurts not only because I injured/lost a deer BUT a buck that I had been targeting specifically for two years. AND everyone I know asks me how I've done this year and I'm a terrible liar so they hear the story. Also, I missed another good 10 pointer a couple weeks ago. I called him and another ten pt in but the other stayed out of range. I got this guy to 27 yards, head behind the tree, vitals clearly showing, and I JERK my bowarm on the shot. Yup, I hit the tree his head was behind. The miss hurt but I was thankful there was a tree there. Might have had the same scenario as I did with "Casper." In closing...I have no problem getting on (what I say) are good bucks. MY problem is closing the deal. It's certainly frustrating and sometimes I'm afraid to even have a good buck come in range in fears of what may come if he presents a shot. Any tips/tricks on controlling buck fever....this should be deer hunting 101 but I'm struggling.....
Force yourself to always say "It is my target, or just a target". Even when shooting your foam deer in your yard, keep this in the back of your mind. Then when you first catch a glimpse of the deer, make your call (whether you are gonna take him) quickly and get your eyes off the antlers and on "your target". This has helped me tremendously over the years with both rifle and bow. I used to become a basket case incapable of holding a steady hand at all. Now, it all comes after the shot. Hope this might help you. I know what you are going thru.
Go thru a mental check list when the deer starts to come in. Mine kinda goes like this: Buck? Shooter? Yes!!! Don't look at the antlers breath draw bow. breath DON"T LOOK AT THE ANTLERS. Breath Pick a spot breath shoot: Go find you buck.
My girlfreind who I just got started hunting with me has the same problem, sounds like. Not sure how long you have been hunting, or if you've have any number of bow kills, but I've have told her shoot everything that comes in. Its a confidence booster, getting one down. She is an awsome shot 3ding, but chokes when comes to the real thing. I personally tell my self everytime I draw back to "take your time and make a good shot". Most of the time you have more time than you think you do. There is no rushing involved, just seems like it.
I'm with you Finch. Ironically (and I will say the mental checklist above is a great idea), when two of the biggest bucks I've seen from stand walked into view this year, I was calm as come be (I usually can become unglued from simply having a doe in range). I do NOT know what I did differently. The only thing I can come up with is that I was making sure I did not botch a shot like I did the week before on a 20yd doe. I simply kept playing out the shot in my mind as they walked across the plot, so when the time came, I just went into machine mode.
I had the same problem my first few years. I couldn't focus at all once I was drawn back. Shooting a bunch of deer helped me for sure. What also helped me alot was drawing on animals I wasn't gonna shoot (finger off the release) - picking a spot and settling the pin, then saying in my mind "gotcha". It helped me focus on the task at hand. I don't know if I'll ever be stone cold calm, I still get the nerves a little bit - but nothing like in the old days. Hang in there....it will get better.
All the above tips will help. I personally had the same problem till I started getting more deer around me. Seeing deer close is an event like no other in our world. Control and confidence in your ability are crucial. Picking a spot, breathing, follow thru, good release. My shooting form has improved by shooting an indoor league during the off season. This teaches you how to concentrate. At least it did me. Either that or hire a sports psychiatrist.lol
Only my opinion, but it sounds as if you are rushing the shot and peeking, you know...wanting it to hurry up and get to the good part, grabbing the antlers and all that comes with that. We can give advice all day long but you have to find what works for you..Had a buddy come back in cussing one time, he had hit a few badly and luckily we found both of them the previous year. I have another buddy who is an excellent shot, he give his mental checklist...long story short once our friend got finished with his checklist the deer was out of range. I still laugh about how pissed he was to this day. He now just sees deer, kills deer and that works for him.
I try not to focus on the size of the buck and instead concentrate on the task at hand...think about when to draw...draw the bow...pick a spot...let the shot go with a smooth release...keep aiming until the arrow makes impact...watch what the deer does. Also, confidence is extremely important. There is no room for self doubt. You must believe that you will make the shot and CANNOT be even thinking about missing.
Does it happen on all deer or just big bucks? If it's only on big bucks, you have to get your eyes and mind off of the antlers and quickly on the exact spot you wnat to hit. 130woodsman mentioned this in his post. Of course you have to make judgement on wether you want the buck or not by looking at the antlers, but once you decide to take him, shift ALL focus to the exact spot you want to hit and how you are going to use perfect form to get it done. If it is on all deer, go right to the "picking a spot" part of this routine. Turn the deer into a target and make the spot your X. It will take practice............ good luck.
I talk to myself, I know, I'm a loser. But I really talk myself through the situation, if I have enough time to. Often times, things happen so quickly that the fever and the shakes don't even happen. BUt I've found if I can talk myself down a bit, and think through how things are going to happen, it helps a bit. BTW, this happens to me on all deer
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Some I've heard before but I seem to forget it all during the moment of truth. Greg...it mainly happens with bucks I intend to shoot. I had a smaller 8 within range last week, drew back, and seemed fine. Who knows what may have happened if I decided to shoot. BUT I feel it would have went well since it was not a shooter. Imagine having your target buck coming into range but before he does...he begins horning the hell out of a tree and scraping the ground. Thats what Casper did and it sure didn't help the situation.
Oh...I think MichaelP is onto something. My buddy said the exact same thing....that I was putting the buck on the wall before I had him in my hands. I'm working on fixes for all. Wish me luck! This very well may be my first year I go buckless since I started my streak in '05.
The first step is admitting you have a problem. The next is to just start killing stuff. Shoot as many does as you can. It's great practice for the buck of a lifetime.
I think you know what you need to do. You just need to apply it. Starting a thread like this will help work that info into your brain. P.S.--If you think you are just panicking on just the big bucks then maybe make a set of 180" horns for your 3d target.
I've never had this peoblem....I start freaking out when I hear something coming....But as soon as I see it....I'm a rock. I dunno why some people are different. I've shot 3D targets since I was little so maybe that helped to desensitize me but I've never had buck fever. I wouldn't know how to help you with this. Try very deep breaths.
I'm with you as well. Hell I even have doe fever sometimes. I tried something new last tuesday when i shot my first archery deer, when earlier in the season I has missed two and wounded one. To some it may sound stupid, but as she came in I just thought of it as it being a summer scout. When its not season, you dont get the fever. I just relaxed as if it wasn't hunting season, drew back, found my target, and let her fly. She dropped within sixty yards and I was so relieved to kill my first archery deer, and find a new tactic to relax myself when the moment comes. Of course for a nice buck it may be a lot harder to use this, but I haven't had that opportunity yet so I guess we'll see. Good luck Finch!
